Robert Wayne Kirk

Robert W. Kirk, age 91, of Atwater, passed away Saturday, July 16, at Sunnyview Assisted Living in Atwater.

Funeral services will be held at 11 AM on Wednesday, July 20, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Atwater.  Interment will be at a later date at Union Cemetery.  Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Tuesday, July 19, at Immanuel Lutheran Church and will continue for one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.  Arrangements are entrusted to the Peterson Brothers Atwater Funeral Home.  www.petersonbrothers.com

Robert Wayne Kirk was born on November 24, 1930, in East Lake Lillian Township, Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, the son of George and Mabel (Tayler) Kirk.  He grew up and received his education in the Lake Lillian community. At the early age of 10, he began working odd jobs at Hanson Silo Company.  After learning how to drive truck, he started hauling gravel for various people in the area.

While living at Big Kandi Lake, he learned to roller skate at the Pavilion which is where he met the love of his life, Darlene Frost.  They were married on November 24, 1953. While Darlene finished school, Robert helped her family on the farm.  Robert continued hauling gravel until Darlene’s father became ill and died. He then became a farmer, milking cows, planting and harvesting crops.  Years later he drove truck for Fairway Construction in Hector. He worked with them until retirement in his early 70’s.  Robert was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church and a past president of the Atwater Saddle Club.

He is survived by his three daughters Linda (and LeRoy) Burns of Atwater, Becky (and Joe) Fordyce of Atwater, Kristi Wareing (and Finance, Jason Lee) of South Haven; six grandchildren, Angela Koplin (and fiancé, Steve Weber), Lee (and Corina) Burns, Sarah (and Sal) Morales, Amanda (and Matt) Fusari, Matthew (and Ashely) Fordyce, and Isaac (and Jenny) Fordyce; six great grandchildren, Kate, Elisa and Lindsey Burns, Logan Brown and Rachel and Russell Fusari, besides other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Darlene in 2021; an infant son, Kyle; one sister, Lola and one brother, Lester.